Fluid applicator

ABSTRACT

Fluid applicators and systems having a moving mechanism, for example a slider mechanism, and a flexible shaft having a stationary member, a movable member and a brush member, the brush member attached between the stationary member and the movable member via at least two pivots, the movable member further attached to the moving mechanism.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a fluid applicator with an adjustable tip and in certain example aspects, to a cosmetic applicator (e.g., a mascara applicator) with an adjustable brush (e.g., having at least two hinges).

BACKGROUND

Some fluid applicators, for example, cosmetic applicators such as mascara applicators, typically include a handle attached to a rod having a brush at an end thereof. The rod and brush are stored in a reservoir filled with cosmetic. After the rod and brush are inserted into the reservoir, the handle is often screwed onto the reservoir and functions as a cap when the mascara applicator is not in use. During use, the cap is unscrewed from the reservoir and the applicator removed through a wiper which removes excess fluid from the applicator brush.

Cosmetic formulations, for example, mascara formulations, are typically designed to deposit a thin, consistent film on eyelashes to enhance their appearance. The applicator brush is similarly designed to apply an even film of mascara on the eyelashes and to separate the eyelashes to achieve a particular appearance. The applicator brush is particularly helpful when applying a mascara formulation that may have thickened and/or agglomerated. When such mascara is applied to the eyelashes it may cause the eyelashes to stick together and/or may leave clumps of mascara in the eyelashes. The applicator brush can remove such clumps and separate the eyelashes.

However, there is a need for improved fluid applicators, for example, improved mascara applicators with an adjustable brush.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various example aspects, the present disclosure is directed to a fluid applicator comprising, for example, a cosmetic applicator having an adjustable angle such as a mascara applicator with an adjustable application angle.

In various example aspects, the disclosure is directed to a fluid applicator having a moving mechanism, for example, a slider mechanism, and a flexible shaft having a stationary member, a movable member and a brush member, the brush member attached between the stationary member and the movable member via at least two pivots, the movable member further attached to the moving mechanism. The slider mechanism can include a coupler having a slider housing; a slider arranged to slide within the slider housing; and an actuator attached to the slider. An end of the movable member can be attached to the slider. The flexible shaft can comprise a material such as nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, thermoplastic elastomer, rubber, aluminum, stainless steel and combinations thereof. The fluid applicator can further include a housing for the moving mechanism, wherein the housing and the moving mechanism together form a handle of fluid applicator. An end of the brush member can be attached to the stationary member via one of the pivots and wherein another end of the brush member is attached to the movable member via another one of the pivots. The flexible shaft can be arranged to simultaneously rotate about the at least two pivots.

In further example aspects, the disclosure is directed to a fluid applicator system, having an adjustable fluid applicator, having a slider mechanism; a flexible shaft comprising a stationary member, a movable member and a flexible brush member, the flexible brush member attached between the stationary and movable members via at least two pivots, the movable member further attached to the slider mechanism; and a reservoir arranged to receive the adjustable fluid applicator. The slider mechanism can comprise: a coupler comprising an outer housing; a slider arranged to slide within the outer housing; and an actuator attached to the slider. An end of the movable member can be attached to the slider. The flexible shaft can comprise a material selected from a group consisting of nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, thermoplastic elastomer, rubber, aluminum, stainless steel and combinations thereof. The fluid applicator can further comprise a housing for the slider mechanism, wherein the housing and the slider mechanism together form a handle of fluid applicator. An end of the brush member can be attached to the stationary member via a first pivot and wherein an other end of the brush member is attached to the movable member via a second pivot. The reservoir can comprise a fluid such as a mascara, hair gel, hair dye, beard product or a moustache product.

The above summary provides a basic understanding of the aspects of the disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is not intended to identify all key or critical elements or to delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present one or more aspects of the disclosure in a summary form as a prelude to the more detailed description that follows and the features described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be more readily understood from the detailed description of examples presented below considered in conjunction with the attached drawings, of which:

FIG. 1A is a front view showing various example aspects of a fluid applicator system according to the disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a left side view showing various example aspects of a fluid applicator system according to the disclosure.

FIG. 1C is a left side view showing various example aspects of a fluid applicator according to the disclosure.

FIG. 1D is a front view showing various example aspects of a fluid applicator according to the disclosure.

FIG. 1E is a perspective view showing various example aspects of a fluid applicator according to the disclosure.

FIG. 1F is a front view showing various example aspects of a fluid applicator according to the disclosure.

FIG. 1G is a left side view showing various example aspects of a fluid applicator according to the disclosure.

FIG. 1H is a perspective view showing various example aspects of a fluid applicator according to the disclosure.

FIG. 1I is an exploded view showing various example aspects of a fluid applicator system according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example aspects of the present disclosure are described herein in the context of fluid applicators and associated systems. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the following description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects will readily suggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the example aspects of the disclosure as illustrated in the drawings. The same reference indicators will be used to the extent possible throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or like items.

Various example aspects of a fluid applicator according to the disclosure are shown in FIGS. 1A-1H. As shown in FIG. 1I, a fluid applicator system can include an applicator 101 having a flexible shaft 102 and a moving mechanism such as a slider mechanism 103. The flexible shaft 102 can include three sections, a stationary member 105, a brush member 110 and a movable member 115. The stationary member 105 and the movable member 115 can both be flexible. In certain example aspects, the stationary member 105 is attached to one end of the brush member 110 via a pivot 120 and to the other end of the brush member 110 via a second pivot 121; thus, the brush member 110 can simultaneously rotate about at least two pivots 120, 121. The flexible shaft 102 can be constructed from a flexible material such as stainless steel, aluminum and/or a plastic including, but not limited to polypropylene, polyethylene and combinations thereof. The pivot 120 can be formed by inserting, molding, cutting, bending or otherwise creating a pivot or hinge (e.g., a living hinge or a mechanical hinge) in the flexible material so that the flexible shaft 102 can predictably bend at the pivot 120 between the stationary member 105 and the brush member 110 as particularly shown in FIGS. 1C-H. Similarly, pivot 121 can be formed in the same manner between the other end of the brush member 110 and the movable member 115 as shown in FIGS. 1C-H so that the flexible shaft 102 can also predictably bend at the pivot 121. While a slider mechanism 103 for adjusting the movable member 115 is shown, other mechanisms known to those of ordinary skill in the art for adjusting the movable member 115 are also contemplated.

The brush member 110 can include bristles formed from a material including, but not limited to metal, polypropylene, polyethylene, thermopolymer elastomer (TPE), and/or thermoplastic copolyester (TPEE) and combinations thereof. The brush member 110 can be molded or can also be a traditional wire brush. Such bristles can be used for combing hair and for applying a fluid to hair, for example, for applying a mascara to eyelashes. The angle of brush member 110 is adjustable to enable a user to apply fluid (e.g., to eyelashes) from brush member 110 at a desired angle. Additionally, when the brush member 110 is engaged as shown in FIGS. 1F-1H, the user can apply the fluid to, for example, eyelashes, without covering the eye during the application. This feature is also advantageous to make-up artists, making it easier to apply, for example, mascara to a client's eyelashes.

The stationary member 105 can optionally include a brush member 125. Notably, a second brush member 125 could similarly be positioned on movable member 115 (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 1C and 1E-1I, brush member 125 can have a different design than brush member 110. For example brush member 125 can have shorter bristles than the brush member 110 and the bristles of brush member 125 can be slightly longer in the center than at the ends. Also, brush member 110 can be a standard twisted wire brush well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Brush member 125 provides the user with the option of multiple application techniques as well as the ability to comb or smooth fluid applied and/or to aid in getting fluid into or onto hard to reach areas (e.g., eyelashes).

The applicator 101 can further include a slider mechanism 103. The slider mechanism 103 can include a slider housing 130 in which a slider 135 can be inserted and movable within the slider housing 130. In certain example aspects, the slider 135 can slide on the outside of the housing 130 (not shown). The slider 135 can be attached to an actuator 140 which can be accessible to and movable by a user of the applicator 101. In certain example aspects, the slider mechanism 103 is positioned within a housing 145 such that the actuator 140 is on an external surface of the housing 145 and accessible by a user. The slider housing 130 can include a coupler 150, which attaches the slider mechanism 103 to the flexible shaft 102. As shown in FIG. 1I, each of the stationary member 105 and the movable member 115 have a latch 106 and 116, respectively, at an end thereof. When the flexible shaft is inserted into the coupler, the latch 116 of the movable member attaches to the slider 135 and the latch of the stationary member 105 attaches to the coupler 150. In this arrangement, the stationary end of the stationary member 105 having latch 106 can remain fixed during use, while the movable end of the movable member 115 having latch 116 can move in response to the sliding mechanism 103, for example, in response to the actuator 140.

In further example aspects of a fluid applicator system according to the disclosure, in addition to the applicator 101, the system can further include a reservoir 155 in which a wiper 160 can be inserted. The reservoir 155 can receive and store the applicator 102 and at least a portion of the coupler 150 as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1I. The reservoir 155 can also include and store a fluid, for example, a cosmetic for applying to hair including, but not limited to mascara, hair color, eyebrow powder among other types of cosmetics.

A method of using an applicator 101 and applicator system according to various example aspects of the disclosure can include removing the applicator 101 from the reservoir 155 by gripping the handle comprised of the housing 145 and the sliding mechanism 103. The housing 145 and/or sliding mechanism 103 can be attached to the reservoir 155 by a thread and screw mechanism (e.g., as shown at the top of reservoir 155) although a threadless mechanism or any other forms of attachment known to those of ordinary skill in the art can also be used. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, the applicator 101 is stored with the sliding mechanism 103 in a closed position, that is, the actuator 140 is at a top end of the housing 145 and the brushes 110, 125 are adjacent and parallel to each other as shown in FIG. 1C which permits brushes 110, 125 to flow through the wiper 160. As particularly shown in FIGS. 1C-1E and 1I, when the slider mechanism is not engaged, the flexible brush 102 is bent at pivot 120 such that the stationary member 105 is parallel to and adjacent the brush member 110 and the movable member 115, which together are inline. The combined length of the brush member 110 and the movable member 115 can be longer than the length of the stationary member 125 as shown in FIG. 1I.

When the fluid applicator 101 is removed from the reservoir 155 it passes through the wiper 160 which removes excess fluid from the brushes 110, 125. Once the applicator 101 has been removed, fluid can be applied to hair, for example, eyelashes with the fluid applicator 101 in the closed position. Brushes 110, 125 can be the same or different. For example, brush 110 can be molded or designed to have longer bristles for longer strands of hair (e.g., upper eyelashes, head hair, hair roots, long beards and moustaches, etc.) while brush 125 can have shorter bristles for shorter strands of hair (e.g., bottom lashes, eyebrows, short beards and moustaches, etc.).

However, when applying fluid to a non-uniform surface, such as eyelashes, it is helpful to be able to control the angle and flexibility of the brush. As shown in FIGS. 1F-1H, a user can move the actuator 140 across a spectrum of partially open positions to a fully open position which transports the movable member 115 in the direction of the slider 135 causing the flexible shaft 102 to predictably bend at pivots 120 and 121 as shown. When the applicator 101 is in the fully open position as shown in FIGS. 1F-1H, the pivots 120, 121 together with the open area behind the brush member 110 enable the brush member 110 to bend when a force is applied, for example, like the force experienced with applying mascara to eyelashes. In such an arrangement, the brush member 110 can curve in the shape of the eyelashes (or other hair) to provide a more even application of fluid. In certain aspects, a user can control the angle of the brush member 110 using the actuator 140 such that the user can apply fluid at any desired angle of the brush member 110 from the applicator 101 being closed, across a spectrum of partially open, to fully open positions. In certain example aspects, the applicator 101 will include a locking mechanism (not shown) to lock the actuator 140 and/or sliding mechanism 103 in the fully open position and to unlock the actuator 140 from the open position. The adjustable applicator 101 enables users to apply fluid to eyelashes without blocking the opposite eye and provides a more accurate application. The adjustable applicator 101 also allows a user to steady his or her hand on, for example, his or her face which provides more control during application. Additionally, the adjustable applicator 101 is helpful to make-up artists when applying, for example, mascara to a client's eyelashes.

One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, shape and placement of such structures can be varied depending on the particular application. Apart from the functional aspects the structures provide, they also provide a novel decorative element. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the decorative possibilities such shapes present.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, has been described with reference to specific examples. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The examples were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure and various examples with various modifications as may be suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A fluid applicator, comprising: a moving mechanism; and a flexible shaft comprising a stationary member, a movable member and a brush member, the brush member attached between the stationary member and the movable member via at least two pivots, the movable member further attached to the moving mechanism.
 2. The fluid applicator of claim 1, wherein the moving mechanism is a slider mechanism.
 3. The fluid applicator of claim 2, wherein the slider mechanism comprises: a coupler comprising a slider housing; a slider arranged to slide within the slider housing; and an actuator attached to the slider.
 4. The fluid applicator of claim 3, wherein an end of the movable member is attached to the slider.
 5. The fluid applicator of claim 1, wherein the flexible shaft comprises a material selected from a group consisting of nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, thermoplastic elastomer, rubber, aluminum, stainless steel and combinations thereof.
 6. The fluid applicator of claim 1, comprising a housing for the moving mechanism, wherein the housing and the moving mechanism together form a handle of the fluid applicator.
 7. The fluid applicator of claim 1, wherein an end of the brush member is attached to the stationary member via one of the pivots and wherein another end of the brush member is attached to the movable member via another one of the pivots.
 8. The fluid applicator of claim 1, wherein the flexible shaft is arranged to simultaneously rotate about the at least two pivots.
 9. A fluid applicator system, comprising: an adjustable fluid applicator, comprising: a slider mechanism; a flexible shaft comprising a stationary member, a movable member and a flexible brush member, the flexible brush member attached between the stationary and movable members via at least two pivots, the movable member further attached to the slider mechanism; and a reservoir arranged to receive the adjustable fluid applicator.
 10. The fluid applicator of claim 9, wherein the slider mechanism comprises: a coupler comprising an outer housing; a slider arranged to slide within the outer housing; and an actuator attached to the slider.
 11. The fluid applicator of claim 10, wherein an end of the movable member is attached to the slider.
 12. The fluid applicator of claim 11, wherein the flexible shaft comprises a material selected from a group consisting of nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, thermoplastic elastomer, rubber, aluminum, stainless steel and combinations thereof.
 13. The fluid applicator of claim 9, comprising a housing for the slider mechanism, wherein the housing and the slider mechanism together form a handle of the fluid applicator.
 14. The fluid applicator of claim 9, wherein an end of the brush member is attached to the stationary member via a first pivot and wherein an other end of the brush member is attached to the movable member via a second pivot.
 15. The fluid applicator of claim 9, wherein the reservoir comprises a fluid.
 16. The fluid applicator of claim 15, wherein the fluid comprises a mascara, hair gel, hair dye, beard product or a moustache product. 